A FIRE at a high-rise student accommodation block in Manchester is thought to have been caused accidentally, an initial fire investigation has found.

Around 25 firefighters tackled the blaze at Parkway Gate in Chester Street last night (Monday, October 16, 2017).

Crews from Moss Side, Salford, Manchester Central, Philips Park and an aerial platform were called to the incident at 10.30pm.

When crews arrived an evacuation of the block was underway. Six firefighters in breathing apparatus went into the building and discovered a fire in a ground floor store room. It was quickly extinguished using two jets and a hose reel. Fire crews were on the scene for around three hours. Nobody was injured.

Station Manager Steve Forster, who was in charge of the incident, said: “When the initial crews arrived on the scene they did a great job in tackling the fire using jets and a hose reel and their swift response stopped the fire from spreading.”

Initial findings of a joint investigation by Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service and Greater Manchester Police has found that the fire was not deliberate. The fire investigation continues. A specialist fire protection officer is also visiting Parkway Gate to work closely with the building owners to check the fire safety measures and offer reassurance to residents.

As part of the work of the Greater Manchester High Rise Taskforce, GMFRS has inspected all residential high-rises in Greater Manchester, including these blocks. The cladding installed on Parkway Gate is not ACM.